Loughborough Trials Club 29-12-13

loughboroughWith Christmas out of the way and the New Year still pending the small dedicated band of people behind Loughborough Trials Club were blown away to see 80+ riders turn out for the extra trial they had added to the 2013 calendar as a thank you for all the support received at their events this year. The club would like to thank all those who turned out for not only making the event a great success but for putting up with the resultant queuing in good cheer, perhaps Christmas had not worn off after all!

 

There were 10 well thought out sections which tested the riders and except for a couple of small alterations after the first lap they proved once again to be perfect. Lots of riders were sporting presents from the Bearded one but unfortunately for one or two he had not left the present of balance and skill they had so been yearning for, still a few new excuses about "balance factor correction to cope with new kit" made for some interesting story's in the queues!

 

Some tight turns and slippy banks on Pete Jones section 2 and Phil Bradley's section 3 along with the log jump of 9 and difficult muddy turn and grip less bank of 10 tested the hard and 50/50 riders while the 50/50 also found the steep climb and drop onto a grip less camber on Howard Jones section 1 to be a test. Steve Bird kept his cool on sections 1 and 2 which gave him the edge over Billy Craig who was better on 9 but lost out by 5 marks. Mark Sunter took 3rd while best youth was Joe Collins. On the 50/50 Tony Jones proved the clear winner from Ryan Lawson who in turn held off Jamie Howe.

 

A strong middle route entry had Don Snaith take victory from Kevin Stannard who held off Andy Butt by a mark. Michael John LeFevre was best youth in tenth as the "silver haired ones" dominated this route. Great to see back on this route and riding like he had never been ill was Keith Radley, just 12 months ago we were not sure we would see Keith on a bike ever again so fantastic progress. Nice to see as well was a couple of youngsters wrestling twin shocks around with Daniel Oakley on a nice looking Fantic 300 and Kieran McDaid having a run on Nick Burtons 200 of the same make, and beating Nick on his TY in the process!

 

Another strong turnout on the white route had the first six places all split by single marks with Steve Fletcher holding off Alan Jones who held off Michael Smalley then Barry Micklethwaite, Andrew Weston and Dave Hedison, even Joshua Skipworth as best youth in 7th was only held out by most cleans, it doies not get much closer!

 

In a surprise for the club Heath Dando asked if he could bring a chair, and while the club does not normally set out for 3 wheels (none of the organisers would know how to ride one!) he was welcomed to make what he could of the sections which he did with great gusto, perhaps a new chapter for this go ahead club.

 

So 2013 came to a close with a fantastic turnout, great sections and brilliant weather, heres hoping the first of 2014 in the middle of January will be the same!